Dometic Automatic Refrigerator Temperature Control

[tedp]

Our "new to us" motor home has a Dometic RM2652 frig installed. On our first trip we noticed that the frig will run continually and freeze everything. I tried moving the thermistor down to no avail. Is there any aftermarket product to install to correct this product or do I try just replacing the thermistor?

[eric1514]

Chris Bryant wrote:
It modulates the flame- high and low (the thermostat shuts the LP off, but it has a small bypass screw to keep the flame lit).

In cold weather, it does freeze stuff.

Yes it does. That explains the cold weather hatch I read about in the manual to use in place of the normal lower grill. I suppose it keeps air circulation across the back to a minimum. I've never seen one.

[Chris_Bryant]

eric1514 wrote:
Not meaning to derail this thread, but on a manual ignite refrigerator, how does the unit adjust its temp since it can't turn the flame off?

TIA

It modulates the flame- high and low (the thermostat shuts the LP off, but it has a small bypass screw to keep the flame lit).

In cold weather, it does freeze stuff.

[eric1514]

Not meaning to derail this thread, but on a manual ignite refrigerator, how does the unit adjust its temp since it can't turn the flame off?

TIA

[tedp]

dougrainer wrote:

tedp wrote:
Well after further checking I found that when I put items on the top shelf it will start freezin stuff. This is driving me crazy. Now what?

The top shelf is next to the COLDEST part of the refer. The Evaporator fins. The Fins are 10 degrees colder than the temp in the refer. So, that means that area is sub 32 degrees, probably in the 22 to 26 degree range. So, the odds are some items will freeze if they are close to those Fins. What is the temp below the top shelf? Do items freeze there? Doug

Top & bottom both freeze. I'm thinking I'll have to change out the control board. Don't know of any other potential fixes.

[dougrainer]

tedp wrote:
Well after further checking I found that when I put items on the top shelf it will start freezin stuff. This is driving me crazy. Now what?

The top shelf is next to the COLDEST part of the refer. The Evaporator fins. The Fins are 10 degrees colder than the temp in the refer. So, that means that area is sub 32 degrees, probably in the 22 to 26 degree range. So, the odds are some items will freeze if they are close to those Fins. What is the temp below the top shelf? Do items freeze there? Doug

[Padlin]

Could always call for service. Check Dometic's website for a qualified local place.

[tedp]

Well after further checking I found that when I put items on the top shelf it will start freezin stuff. This is driving me crazy. Now what?

[dougrainer]

tedp wrote:
Replaced my thermistor with the snip-the-tip and I still have the same problem (sometimes). When the motor home is parked in the yard I've run the refrigerator for days on gas or electric and it holds rock steady. As soon as I travel it starts freezing stuff again. Could it be that when the coach isn't level for sometime that the unit goes on constant run? Do I have to replace the circut board?

NO, There is no such feature or features on a Norcold or Dometic refer. When traveling, the units will sometimes cool BETTER due to the fresh air flowing in and out and the rocking of the refer while in transit. The Freeze Thermister just senses the temp and sends the signal to the control board to start the refer on and off. Doug

[tedp]

Replaced my thermistor with the snip-the-tip and I still have the same problem (sometimes). When the motor home is parked in the yard I've run the refrigerator for days on gas or electric and it holds rock steady. As soon as I travel it starts freezing stuff again. Could it be that when the coach isn't level for sometime that the unit goes on constant run? Do I have to replace the circut board?

[j-d]

An OPEN thermistor circuit will cause the system to run full time. I was testing one. Thermistor checked OK. That's somewhere in the range of 30K-Ohms with the tip in an ice/water bath approximating 32-degrees. Anyhow, checked OK but I accidentally fixed it. There was corrosion the connection between thermistor connector and control board (under a cover on the back/outside of the fridge). Might just look for that, unplug and re-plug.

[Chris_Bryant]

[dougrainer]

Moving the Thermister will ONLY change the temp in the refer about 4 degrees. So, IF you do not like the preset of 38 degrees. Moving to get it colder will only result in about a drop to 34/35 degrees. The adjustment on a Auto Temp Dometic does not change the temp that much. So, if the refer is sub 33 degrees, then you have a control problem(usually bad Thermister), not an adjustment problem. Doug

[Old-Biscuit]

filthy beast wrote:
This past week while camping our fridge kept getting colder. I tried sliding the thermistor down (warmer) to stop this. That is when I noticed that the thermistor did not move with the clip. When I pushed it back into the clip the temp increased and stabilized. Unfortunately it would continue to creep up. I am going to contact Dometic and try to find out where in the clip the thermistor should be and glue it into that position.

IF you glue it then that is it.........no adjustment at all.

Dometic is going to tell you......
Tip (bulb) of thermistor should just stick out of top of clip
Clip should go on far right fin...mid position
Then after 24 hrs.....check food section temps.
Adjust thermistor as needed>>>>>>>>>>>>>

BUT they will NOT tell you to glue clip in place

[filthy_beast]

This past week while camping our fridge kept getting colder. I tried sliding the thermistor down (warmer) to stop this. That is when I noticed that the thermistor did not move with the clip. When I pushed it back into the clip the temp increased and stabilized. Unfortunately it would continue to creep up. I am going to contact Dometic and try to find out where in the clip the thermistor should be and glue it into that position.